Grant program Active
EIC STEP Scale Up
Equity-only instrument for European deep-tech scale-ups under the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP): €10–30M EIC Fund investments. Digital & deep tech — semiconductors and quantum in particular — is the focus.
✓ 3 Jul 2026
Key parameters
| 2026 budget | €300M |
|---|---|
| Equity ticket | €10–30M (equity-only) |
| Focus | Strategic technologies — semiconductors & quantum highlighted |
| Aim | Crowd in private co-investment for large growth rounds |
Eligibility
- HQ
- Applying entity must be established in the EU or an associated country
- Local presence
- Separate legal entity required The applicant must be a separate legal person (e.g. GmbH, BV, SARL) — a branch office of a foreign company does not qualify here.
- R&D substance
- Not required
- Company size
- No size restriction
- Models
- All
- Sectors
- All
- Goals
- Additional design site in Europe; Manufacturing / fab site
Aimed at scale-ups raising large growth rounds; the company must be established in the EU or an associated country and pass strategic-technology ownership screening.
Mechanism & application
Discretionary (call-based) — Competitive, call-based — requires approval; success not guaranteed.
Application to EIC with investor syndicate; due diligence by the EIC Fund.
Timeline: 6–12 months
Legal basis & sources
- Legal basis
- STEP Regulation (EU) 2024/795; EIC Work Programme 2026
- Verification
- EIC Work Programme 2026
from 1 Jan 2024 until no expiry review 1 Dec 2026
Related
See also